Month: June 2015

The PCCC and the Embassy of Canada were delighted to host a breakfast meeting on February 25th at the Hotel Sheraton with Mr. Steve Verheul, Canada’s Chief Trade Negotiator for CETA.

Mr. Verheul’s return attendance was enthusiatically received by business people with an interest in expanding trade between Europe and Canada.  Mr. Verheul provided an update on the agreement and next steps for ratification and implementation of CETA.  Following his talk was a Q&A.

The Winter Reception took place on Thursday, February 12th in the Canada Room of the Embassy of Canada.  The evening’s theme was Festivals of Canada

to highlight the variety of world class events hosted in Canada annually including the Dragon Boat Festival, Calgary Stampede, Caribana, Toronto International Film Festival, Quebec Winter Carnival and Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.  Adding to the evening’s festivities was excellent Canadian wine from both the Niagara and Okanagan regions.  The reception was rounded out with a prize draw that gave away a poster size Canadian flag, a one litre bottle of maple syrup, a bottle of ice cider, a Dying Light video game collectors‘ boxset, a dinner for two at Mielżyński and an air ticket to Canada

We wish to give warm recognition to our event sponsors and prize sponsors for their support to make the Winter Reception a successful event.

Event Sponsors:

Bergman Engineering

CFE Polska

Kan-Bud

Miedzi Copper

Perła Browary

 

Prize Sponsors:

Air France/KLM

Embassy of Canada

Mielżyński Wine and Bar

PJM Shipping and Trading

Techland

HE The Right Honourable David Johnston together with HE Mrs. Sharon Johnston paid a state visit to Poland October 23-26.

The program included aspects of business, academic, history and culture in the cities of Warsaw, Kraków and Oświęcim.  On October 23, His Excellency was officially welcomed by President Bronisław Komorowski at the Presidential Palace where a review of the military guard of honour took place.  Later in the day, the Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce was honoured to hold a business luncheon for over 100 guests where His Excellency addressed key leaders of the business community on the trends, challenges and opportunities between Poland and Canada.  He also highlighted the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and its impact on strengthening and diversifying bilateral trade, investment and innovation projects.

The following days on October 25 and 26, the Governor General was in Kraków and Oświęcim.  The visit in Kraków included Rakowicki Cementary, Waweł Castle, and Innovation Round Table at AGH University of Science and Technology, while the Canadian delegation viewed the grounds at Oświęcim and pay tribute to those who lost their lives here during WWII.

HE Sharon Johnston took part in other events together with First Lady Anna Komorowska that included a roundtable with Polish NGO’s on current social issues, visit to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, a scholarship presentation to underprivileged Polish youth, and a visit to Life Farm (Centre for Autistic Young Adults) where support for vocational training is offered.

The Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following companies for their support in organization of the business luncheon:

BlackBerry

Bombardier Transportation

InPost

Miedzi Copper

SUM Poland

TriGranit Development Polska

UCan Universal

This year’s annual Canada Day Picnic was held on Sunday June 29 at the Wilanow Golf Club.

After the morning’s rain, by lunchtime the weather cleared and the afternoon was pleasant and the perfect day for a family fun day in the sun.  On this day to be remembered by many, the Polish-Canadian Chamber Of Commerce, with support from the Canadian Embassy, organised an activity-filled event that was enjoyed by the children and their parents.  The event was attended by more than 100 people, including Ambassador Bugailiskis and her husband.

During the afternoon, the kids and their parents were invited to play mini-golf as well as participate in a number of competitive events.  The competitions included a 3-round obstacle course challenge, followed by a three-legged race, a spoon-and-egg race and a sack race.  The final event was a tug-of-war with parents and children and the third round finished spectacularly when the rope broke.  In the background, there was face-painting and all-Canadian music played in the air.  Even the Ambassador and her husband joined in with the fun and they obviously enjoyed themselves immensely.  The sports events were followed by a short presentation by the Ambassador and then the Canada Trivia Quiz, with our Sponsors contributing great prizes for the correct answers given.

As usual, there was a huge amount of wonderfully-tasting food and ample supply of refreshments in the form of wine, beer and juices.  Towards the end of the afternoon, the National Anthem was sung and a huge cake was cut and served to the guests.

The PCCC would like to thank the following Organisations for making this day possible and very enjoyable:

Patrons:      
Blackberry
Miller Canfield
EY
KGHM
Redknee

Sponsors:         
Air Canada
maple tree
Sheraton

Supporting Members:   
Government of Canada
ICS Polska
Miedzicopper
AirFrance / KLM & Delta
Pratt & Whitney
Vac Aero
The Canadian School Of Warsaw
PJM Shipping & Trading
Perła

The afternoon was enjoyed by all.  Count the smiles in the small selection of photos below and you will see why you need to attend the Canada Day Picnic next year!

Canada’s Minister Of Finance, the Honourable Joe Oliver, addressed guests at  a breakfast meeting jointly organised by the Canadian and Belgian Chambers of Commerce, with participation of the International Group of Chambers Of Commerce (IGCC).

Mr. Oliver shared with the audience his perspective on Canada’s success story, describing the policies behind the prosperity and sustainable public finances.  He also put forward his views on the challenges and the opportunities facing the European and Global economies.  His presentation was followed by his responses to questions asked by a number of guests.

The Breakfast meeting was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Warsaw on June 27 and was attended by about 50 guests.

The Hon. John Baird, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was in Poland on May 24th for official meetings that included a visit to the Auschwitz Nazi death camp, accompanied by Ambassador Bugailiskis.

Minister Baird met later that day with Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Radek Sikorski, for talks concerning Europe’s security and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

In the evening, a reception was given by the Embassy later where Minister Baird spoke briefly of his meeting with Mr. Sikorski.  Mr. Baird revealed that he had conveyed a message of Canada’s continuing desire to improve economic relations with Poland and to support efforts to ensure Ukraine’s independence.

The PCCC was proud to participate in the first Grand Speed Business Mixer which took place in Łódż on 6th March.

The event was the first of its kind bringing together members of nine bi-lateral chambers of commerce for the opportunity to present their companies and build networks.  The main organizer of the evening was the Łódż Special Economic Zone who hosted the meeting in the beautifully restored Grohman factory buildings.

The first part of the evening include three rounds of speed mixing followed by a networking cocktail for all participants which numbered over 160.

We wish to thank Raben, MCKB and the Łódż Special Economic Zone for their support to make the event successful.

The Winter Reception was held at the Canadian Embassy on 4th February, with the theme Winter Olympic Games.

In conjunction with the Embassy of Canada, the PCCC held the Winter Reception at the Embassy on 4th February, with the theme Winter Olympic Games.  After a short introductory welcome by Ambassador Alexandra Bugailiskis, the guests were addressed by the Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Canada’s G8 Sherpa, Mr. Peter M. Boehm.  Mr. Boehm briefly covered issues including the new bilateral trade agreement, the Winter Olympic Games, and the bond between Canadian and Polish Governments, business and individuals.

Following Mr. Boehm’s presentation, Mr. Tomasz Lisiecki (President of the PCCC) thanked the sponsors of the event.  The sponsors included Apotex, Bireta, Miedzi Copper, Perła and Vac Aero.

Tomasz also recognized new members to the PCCC including Citibank, Dentons, E&Y, Mielżyński Wine, Spirits and Specialties, Redknee, Sandoz and SNC Lavalin Polska.

About 120 guests attended the function and were treated to sumptuous food provided, once again, by “Why Thai” restaurant.

As usual, the evening was a lively gathering of the Polish and Canadian business communities and guests.

The PCCC Christmas Business Mixer was held on December 18th in the Beaver Club at the Canadian Embassy.

As well as regular members, members of the Skandinavian-Polish CoC were also invited.  Short presentations were made by Michael Miasek (Vice-President PCCC and President of Vac Aero), Rouslan Kats (Trade Counsellor, Embassy of Canada), Kari Vahaangas (Head of Trade Centre, Finpro, Embassy of Finland), and Carsten Nilsen (President SPCC).

The number of attendees was slightly down on the same event last year, probably due to the last-minute Christmas rush and the need to complete as much business as possible before the end of the year.  However on the plus side, that meant that those who did attend were able to come back for seconds, even thirds, feasting on the delicious food provided by Why Thai.

The Board of the PCCC would like to wish all Chamber members, their employees and their families a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.  We look forward to working with all our members and other Chamber of Commerce “families” during 2014.